50-Mile Team Relay
Rainier → Tacoma Waterfront
50 Miles. One van. Endless stories.
The Pacific Northwest’s most fun team relay.
June 6, 2026
Teams of 2, 3, 4, or 6 runners
Perfect for first-time relay teams.
Who’s in your van?
Grab your friends, coworkers, or running crew and build your relay team for the adventure from Mount Rainier to Tacoma’s Ruston Way waterfront.
Teams of 2, 3, 4, or 6 runners.
Who’s in your van?
Grab your friends, coworkers, or running crew and build your relay team for the adventure from Mount Rainier to Tacoma’s Ruston Way waterfront.
Teams of 2, 3, 4, or 6 runners
The Most Fun You’ll Ever Have in a Running Van
Who doesn’t love cramming into a vehicle in the early morning with running gear, snacks, and your favorite people — knowing the van is only going to get more… fragrant as the day goes on?
(Pro tip: Ziploc bags for sweaty clothes. Trust us.)
Adventure awaits as your team piles into the van like clowns at a circus, chasing miles, laughs, and the unforgettable chaos that only a relay can deliver.
Teams of 2, 3, 4, or 6 runners take on the journey from the foothills of Mount Rainier to Tacoma’s Ruston Way waterfront, finishing with exactly what you’ve earned:
Craft beer garden
Finish-line food
Music
A front-row view of Mount Rainier
Custom shirt, medal, & buff
Potential to earn the coveted railroad spike
You ran.
You laughed.
You survived the van.
You’ve earned it.
Grab Your Crew
1️⃣ Build Your Team
Teams of 2–6 runners.
2️⃣ Run Your Legs
Each runner completes multiple relay segments.
3️⃣ Celebrate on Ruston Way
Beer garden, food, music, and the best finish line vibes in Tacoma.
How the Relay Works
Relay races are better with friends.
Build a team of 2–6 runners, divide the miles,
and spend the day chasing the finish line on Tacoma’s waterfront.
Perfect for:
Running friends
Social running groups
First-time relay teams
Company teams
Making new friends
Relay Traditions
Every Rainier to Ruston team quickly learns a few things.
• The Coveted Railroad Spike
Top teams compete for the legendary Rainier to Ruston railroad spike.
• The Sand Leg Medal
Take on the infamous Puyallup sand leg and earn the special Sand Leg medal.
• Van Stories for Years
From questionable van smells to perfectly timed handoffs, every team finishes with stories they’ll tell long after race day.
The Ruston Way Finish Party
When your final runner crosses the line, the celebration begins.
• Craft Beer Garden
• Music
• Locally Made Small Bites
• Team Photos
• Tacoma Waterfront Views
• Vendors
Kick back on the grass, relive the relay, and enjoy one of the best finish lines in the Pacific Northwest.
A Northwest Relay Tradition
When your final runner crosses the line, the celebration begins.
The Rainier to Ruston Relay has grown from 300 runners to over 2,000 participants, becoming one of largest and the most fun race days in the Pacific Northwest.
Teams return every year for the miles, the laughs, and the unforgettable finish on Tacoma’s waterfront.
Ready for the Relay?
Grab your friends and start planning your adventure from Mount Rainier to Tacoma.
When you join Rainier to Ruston, you’re not just racing—you’re running toward the trail future we all share.
Why This Race Matters
Rainier to Ruston isn’t just a race—it’s how a community comes together to build something lasting. Proceeds support the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition, a nonprofit working since 1984 to complete the 50+ mile “Mountain-to-Sound” connection from Mount Rainier to Tacoma’s waterfront.
Support the Foothills Trail year-round!
Learn more about the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition and how to get involved → https://www.foothillscoalition.org
When you run R2R you help to…
Expand access: Build on the 24 miles of paved continuous trail already open and move us toward a fully connected route from Rainier to Puget Sound.
Empower community spirit: Mobilize the 100+ volunteers who make this race possible each year—and inspire even more people to join the movement.
Strengthen stewardship: Support year-round volunteer work parties that restore salmon streams, plant native trees, and keep the trail safe for everyone.
Grow impact: Ensure the Foothills Trail continues welcoming over a million trips annually—fueling healthier communities and stronger local economies.
Imagine running this race entirely on trail—no roads, no traffic, just miles of safe, scenic, connected pathway from the mountain to the sound. With your support of the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition, every mile brings that vision closer.
Thank you for running with us.
CONTACT US
Questions or concerns?
Please fill out this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!